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Sydney Morning Herald readers share humorous memories inspired by Column 8, including schoolgirl Latin, the giant panda Jumbo, the phrase perfidious Albion, Citizen Kane references, a satirical response from artificial intelligence and the mysterious arrival of bogongs at MacMasters Beach. Maurice Collins also clarifies that tawny frogmouths, rather than owls, catch moths attracted to streetlights.
“Natasha Lee’s Jumbo close call reminded me of the birth of one of my children who arrived in this world at 7.47,” says Richard Hale of Paddington.
“Understandably, my wife was not amused when I lightheartedly suggested the child be called Jumbo. ” For a boy, you could’ve gone with Sully and a girl, maybe Piper – or, heck with it, Skye.
“Like others who have pondered on the remnants from past language lessons , much of my schoolgirl Latin now eludes me,” admits Alison Durant of Lawrence. “However, a faint memory flickers when I see a galah. I find myself, often quite loudly, referencing our beautiful pink and grey bird: ‘galah, galah, gallum, gallorum, gallis, gallis!
’” David Rose of Nollamara gets lettered: “How wonderful to see the phrase ‘perfidious Albion’ crop up again . I think the last time I came across it was in the 1970s. I thought it was created by Shakespeare, but it comes from a French poem of 1793. ”for Citizen Kanebridge, a private club, invites suitable people to join,” notes Paul Duncan of Leura.
“Will there be Xanadu with the Charles Foster Kane room and perhaps even the Orson Welles bar serving the Rosebud cocktail? ” And maybe some souvenir statues for sale? Col Burns of Lugarno writes: “When I asked an AI to satirically sum up my contributions over the years , it replied: ‘Col has successfully weaponised SMH’s Letters and Column 8 into a megaphone for low-stakes pedantry.
I diagnose his dispatches as a cry for help from a retired mind with way too much free time. Without his inanities, Sydney readers might tragically be forced to read actual news. ’ Harsh, but fair. ”Ominous words from Central Coaster John Turnell: “The bogongs arrived in MacMasters Beach today.
” And a bit of clarification now from Maurice Collins of Wollongbar: “Tawny frogmouths are the birds that eat moths attracted to streetlights, not owls. Owls are raptors that catch rodents with their big talons and frogmouths catch moths with their big mouths. Frogmouths belong to the nightjar family and are unrelated to owls. ”reports Jo Rainbow of Orange.
“The sluglike baddies live on a planet covered in slimy broccoli. Parents – this film may not help mealtimes. ”You have reached your maximum number of saved items.
Schoolgirl Latin Australian Birds Literary References Citizen Kane Column 8
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